Inada Flex 3S or Dreamwave? Which is the Best? 2024

To start our review, we’re giving you some background information on the Inada brand. Then, we’ll explain all of the features on the Inada Flex 3S and the DreamWave. Finally, we’ll compare the two side-by-side to see which is better… Inada Flex 3S or DreamWave. Let’s get started!

Who Is Inada?

Inada is one of the oldest, most revered massage chair companies. It was founded in Japan in 1962 by Nichimu Inada, who remains the company’s president to this day.

Today, Inada is still headquartered in Japan — the most competitive massage chair market in the world — where all their chairs are designed, engineered, and, perhaps most importantly, manufactured. An estimated “15% of Japanese households own a massage chair,” says Inada. And thanks to over 50 years of competition, they’ve had to continuously innovate, resulting in technology and quality few other markets can produce.

As one of the first and most innovative massage chair companies, Inada is credited with the introduction of many industry-changing contributions such as spinal rollers, acupressure-focused massage, infrared body scan, and the first full-body comprehensive massage chair (the Sogno DreamWave) among others.

Inada has a second headquarters located in Boulder, Colorado, which is the exclusive distributor of Inada brand massage chairs in the U.S. All of their massage chairs come with a 3-year limited in-home repair or replace warranty that covers all parts and labor in the event of a defect. Best of all: Their in-home support team will travel to you — anywhere you live.

Now that we’ve covered the Inada company, let’s get into our review of the Inada DreamWave vs Flex 3S…

Common Features on the Inada DreamWave vs Flex 3S

Body Scan Technology

Body scan technology is an important aspect of any high-quality massage. Without it, the massage rollers’ range is either based on a standard height or must be manually adjusted via the remote. With body scan technology, a massage chair is able to detect, at the very minimum, the position of your shoulders, though high-end chairs will have more comprehensive scans that also detect your shape and shiatsu points.

The Inada DreamWave uses a body scan technology called “Optical Point Sensor.” The scan detects your height, shape and shiatsu points before any massage initiates to deliver a custom-fit treatment. During the scan, the massage rollers lightly tap around your shoulders to detect their position. At the same time, infrared lights in the backrest of the chair detect the shape of your spine and body. The chair then compares the scan information with over a hundred “profiles” programmed into the chair. The closest profile is selected and your massage begins.

On the Flex 3S, the body scan technology is similar, but is called “Shiatsu Point Locator.” Using the same infrared technology, the Flex 3S detects the shape of your spine and back before comparing your profile to the other stored profiles. Once a match is found, your custom shiatsu massage on the Flex 3S begins.

If the body scan doesn’t quite locate your shoulder position, you can manually adjust the position at any time using a set of arrows on the remote.

So you may be wondering… what are shiatsu points and why are they detected?

In Japanese, “Shiatsu” means “finger pressure” and characterizes a type of massage therapy that’s been used for centuries to restore balance and well-being to the body.

Shiatsu-style massage focuses on treating shiatsu points also known as acupressure points. According to traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine, shiatsu points are the points on the body through which life force (“Chi” or “Qi” in China and “Ki” in Japan) flows. Together, these individual points form meridians, which are a network of shiatsu points that correspond to specific organ systems.

It’s believed that when a meridian is blocked an imbalance in the body’s energy system occurs which results in physical illness or imbalance. Traditional therapies like shiatsu massage and acupressure work to clear these blocks and bring alignment back to the body’s energy system.

3D Roller Massage Technology

To perform shiatsu-style massage, both the Inada DreamWave and the Flex 3S use 3D roller technology.

With 3D massage, the rollers move in three ways: vertically (up and down), horizontally (side to side), and outward (protruding into the muscles). The third movement, outward, is the equivalent of massage intensity and determines the strength and depth of your massage.

On the Inada DreamWave, the 3D rollers move in a figure eight pattern as they massage the back. This movement mimics the techniques a massage therapist uses during shiatsu massage and allows the rollers to reach more areas. In fact, together with the air massage, the coverage on the DreamWave is over 1200 square inches — the most comprehensive body coverage of any massage chair.

Although both massage chairs — Flex 3S and DreamWave — have 3D rollers, the massage feels very different.

In general, the default roller massage on the Inada DreamWave is quite gentle. This is because the DreamWave has wider rubber rollers. On the Inada Flex 3S, however, the massage feels more vigorous and powerful, though it’s not overwhelming by any means.

The rollers on the Inada DreamWave move along a 28-inch massage track that extends from the neck to the sacrum in the lower back reaching the tops of the glutes. The roller track on the Flex 3S is slightly shorter at 27 inches. Although it doesn’t reach as far down as the DreamWave track, the rollers on the Flex 3S tend to spend more time in the sacrum region.

Air Massage

In addition to roller massage, both the DreamWave and the Flex 3S feature air massage.

Air massage uses airbags (or air cells as Inada calls them) to treat areas rollers can’t reach like the sides of the shoulders and sides of the hips. Typically, air cells have two movements: inflate and deflate. But thanks to Inada’s advanced air system, the air cells are programmed to do much more, for example, perform massage techniques like rotations and twists.

Inside the Inada DreamWave are 100 air cells — one of the most robust air massage systems. But don’t worry, it isn’t as noisy as you might expect with such a large number of airbags thanks to the insulation.

The Flex 3S has half the amount of air cells as the DreamWave — 50 total. But it’s how the Flex 3S uses its air cells that sets it apart from the DreamWave. The Inada Flex 3S offers perhaps some of the most advanced and effective stretch programs available, in which air cells are a key component.

On both chairs, the air cells are strategically placed for maximum coverage and treat the shoulders, arms, hands, hips, thighs, buttock, calves, and feet. We’ll dig deeper into how each of the chairs use air massage later in the article.

Calf and Foot Massage

Both the Flex 3S and the DreamWave feature calf and foot massage ottomans. In the foot portion of each ottoman are removable rubber acupressure nodes that press into the bottoms of the feet. There are no mechanical foot rollers on either of the massage chairs, so the acupressure plates are as comprehensive of a foot massage as you’ll get. However, both chairs have air cells that line the ottomans that inflate to push the feet onto the nodes for a powerful shiatsu-style massage. The air cells provide compression massage to the calves and play a key role in the stretch programs by holding the legs in place.

Heat Therapy

The Flex 3S and the DreamWave both feature heat therapy. With heat, blood vessels dilate which increases circulation and the flow of nutrients and oxygen. As new oxygen and nutrients reach an area, it repairs damaged tissues — an excellent feature for sore muscles. Heat also has a distinctly massage-friendly benefit: it relaxes the muscles, allowing the rollers to penetrate deeper for a more effective massage.

The Flex 3S has heat in the hands and feet that replicate the feeling of a hot stone massage. The Inada DreamWave has heat in the lower back and seat. On both chairs, the heat can be turned off or added to any auto or manual massage.

Now that we’ve covered the common features, it’s time to look at the unique features on the Inada DreamWave vs Flex 3S…

Unique Features on the Inada Dreamwave Massage Chair

The Inada DreamWave (formerly Sogno DreamWave) changed the industry when it was introduced in 2008 as the first ever fully-encompassing massage chair. And though it’s been almost 10 years since its introduction, the DreamWave has remained one of the leading high-end massage chairs on the market. Let’s take a closer look at the unique features of the Inada DreamWave…

Neck Traction Device

At the top of the backrest on the Inada DreamWave is a patented neck traction device. It sits on top almost like a pillow. When reclined in the chair, the traction device cradles your head and presses on top of your shoulders.

Inside the device are airbags that inflate to press your shoulders away from your neck for gentle traction that creates space between the vertebrae to relieve pinched nerves and pain. On the surface of the airbags are removable acupressure nodes that add an extra dimension of massage. As the airbags inflate, the nodes press into your shoulders performing a trigger point massage.

The device provides great coverage for the often neglected and hard-to-reach areas of the trapezius muscles like the sides of the neck and tops of the shoulders. But if you want to skip the device altogether, you can remove it and enjoy roller massage directly on your neck and shoulders.

Back and Seat Vibration Massage

Inside the lower back and seat of the Inada DreamWave are high-frequency vibration plates. These plates vibrate to stimulate the microcirculation to help remove stagnant fluids from the muscles. Vibration also has a soothing effect, helping the muscles to relax and release tension.

Vibration massage can be turn off or added to any auto or manual massage program.

Designer Aesthetics

When the Inada DreamWave was first introduced, its design had never before been seen. Now, it’s perhaps one of the most copied massage chair designs ever.

The Inada DreamWave was designed by renowned product designer, Toshiyuki Kita, whose most notable works have earned him permanent places in the New York City Museum of Modern Art, the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, and the Museum fur Kunst und Gewerbe in Germany among other prominent institutions.

Leather-Like or Genuine Leather Upholstery

The leather-like upholstery on the Inada DreamWave is made from a polyurethane. The material is antibacterial, stain and soil resistant. Like leather, it’s soft and flexible enough for the rollers to freely move across the backrest without losing pressure or contact. Unlike leather, it’s highly abrasion resistant. The leather-like material is also easy to keep clean — a wipe with water-based cleaner or light vacuuming is all you need.

But if you prefer the real thing, Inada offers the DreamWave in genuine leather called TruBlack. The DreamWave also comes in four non-leather colors: black, dark brown, cream, and red.

Massage Techniques & Auto Programs on the Inada DreamWave Massage Chair

Now that we’ve looked at all of the massage components, let’s see how the DreamWave brings them together in their auto programs and techniques…

There are seven massage techniques available on the DreamWave. This may seem like a small number compared to other high-end massage chairs like the Osaki Japan Premium 4S or Human Touch Navitas Sleep Chair, but the techniques cover all of the fundamental shiatsu-style massage movements, including:

Massage Programs

There are 16 auto programs on the Inada DreamWave. These programs are the fully-automated massages that come standard on the chair. Each auto massage has a theme or benefit, for example, “Morning.” These are the easiest massages to enjoy simply because they only require the push of a button to begin.

The massage programs are divided into two categories: Healthcare and Wellbeing. And each program has two versions: a normal version and a deep relaxation version. So technically, there are only eight auto programs, but because there are two versions of each the total comes to 16. The programs are:

Healthcare Auto Programs

Wellbeing Auto Programs

Manual Mode and Customization Options on the Inada DreamWave Chair

If you’d rather dial-in your own massage or want to customize your treatment, the manual mode options on the Inada DreamWave let you adjust settings like massage direction, speed, and intensity among others. Let’s take a look at the manual mode options available…

Unique Features on the Inada Flex 3S Massage Chair

Perhaps the greatest difference between the Inada DreamWave vs Flex 3S ​is that the Flex 3S offers a set of comprehensive stretch programs. The Flex 3S perfectly combines therapeutic stretching with shiatsu-style massage. In fact, the Flex 3S gets its name from its mobility and posture-correcting abilities.

Let’s take a closer look at the unique features on the Inada Flex 3S…

Shoulder Stabilization

When looking at the Inada DreamWave and the Flex 3S side by side you’ll immediately notice the Flex 3S has shoulder airbags that extend out much farther. That’s because these shoulder airbags are not only used for compression air massage but are actually shoulder stabilization devices.

If you struggle with proper posture or spend a lot of time at a desk, you may catch yourself slouching or hunching over. The Flex 3S remedies this problem with shoulder stabilization airbags that inflate to move your shoulders back and pin them to the backrest to help restore proper posture and body alignment.

Sports Stretching Expert-Designed Programs

All of the stretch programs on the Inada Flex 3S are designed by sports stretching expert Tadashi Kaneko. Utilizing the power of sports medicine and shiatsu-style massage, the Flex 3S delivers a combination few, if any, other massage chairs can match.

Massage Techniques and Auto Programs on the Inada Flex 3S Massage Chair

The Inada Flex 3S has six massage techniques. The technique the Flex 3S doesn’t have that the DreamWave does is Double Kneading. However, the remaining six are exactly the same and include: Kneading, Kneading and Tapping, Tapping, Human Hands, Shiatsu, and Rolling.

Massage Programs

There are 11 auto programs on the Inada Flex 3S — five less than the DreamWave. The auto programs are divided into two categories: Healthcare and Conditioning. Additionally, the Flex 3S has “Focused Sessions” that straddle the line between automatic and manual. With the Focused Sessions, you can select specific body areas you want your massage to focus as well as adjust settings like speed, intensity and roller position.

Let’s take a closer look at the massage programs…

Healthcare Auto Programs

Healthcare programs are intended to help the muscles recover from fatigue; they are:

Conditioning Auto Programs

Conditioning programs are intended to help the body before and after workouts, strenuous activities, or sleep. They are:

Focused Sessions

Focused sessions give you more control over the body areas being treated. They are:

Manual Mode & Customization Options on the Inada Flex 3S Massage Chair

If you want even more control over your massage, the manual mode options on the Inada Flex 3S let dial-in quite a few settings, including:

Inada Flex 3S or DreamWave? Which is the Best?

Although the Flex 3S and the DreamWave are from the same brand, they’re quite different. For example, the Inada Flex 3S offers shoulder stabilization for posture correction — an excellent feature if you spend a lot of time hunched over (like at a desk or computer keyboard). The Inada DreamWave, on the other hand, features a neck tractioning device that pushes the shoulders downward, elongating the neck to provide gentle traction that can help relieve pinched nerves and tension.

Neither feature is better than the other, however, each feature will suit someone’s needs better than the other. So if you find yourself struggling with posture, the Flex 3S is a great option for flexibility and mobility. And if you find yourself struggling with neck tension and nerve pain, the Inada DreamWave, is a great option for traction and trigger point massage.

The same reasoning is applied to the chairs in general… there is no end-all and be-all best massage chair. However, one of these massage chairs will provide you with the combination of features you need for your unique treatment. And regardless of which one suits you better, both are backed by a great warranty, are from a trusted brand and should last for many years to come. In fact, Inada claims if “used once a day, the expected usable life is more than 24 years.”

Specifications & Dimensions

	Inada Flex 3s	Inada DreamWave
Chair Dimensions (upright)	42″L X 33″W X 50″H	55″L X 37″W X 48″H
Chair Dmensions (reclined)	29″L X 33″W X 73″H	83″L X 38″W X 30″H
Maximum User Weight	250 lbs	250 lbs
Recommended User Height	5’0″ to 6’2″	5’0″ to 6’5″
Power Consumption	140W	170W
Chair Weight	165 lbs	253 lbs